Automatic lightning switch for radios



-Aug. 23, 1927. 1,640,253

G. E. ROESQH AUTOMATIC LIGHTNING SWITCH FOR RADIOS Filed Aug. 18, 1924 Patented Aug. 23, 1927.

UNITED STATES V 1,640,253 PATENT OFFICE."

GEORGE E. ROESCT I, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC LIGHTNING SWITCH FOR RADIOS.

Application filed August is, 1924. Serial No. 732,691.

through which the aerial and ground may" be placed in circuit at the option of the user.

A; still further object of the invention is to provide a switch through which av radio aerial is placed in circuit with a radio set, the switch automatically connecting the aerial with the ground when the aerial is disconnected from the set.

The above and other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description of the present preferred form of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a switch constructed in accordance with this invention illustrating its application;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same; p

Fig. 3 is a detail fragmentary sectional view of the switch illustrating its application; and

Fig. 4 is a detail elevational View of the switch block showing the key receiving recess thereof.

In order to illustrate the application of this invention a portion of a building 5 is fragmentarily shown the inside of which is designated 6 and the outside 7, the outside of the building being provided with a recess 8.

Mounted on the outside 7 of the building is a switch block or base 9 made of hard rubber or other suitable insulating material which has an opening 10 formed therein near its upper terminal which registers with the recess 8 in the outside of the building. The lower end of the switch block is provided with a key slot 11 the outer end of which terminates in a key receiving recess 12 while the inner end communicates with an opening 13 formed through the wall of the building 5.

Detachably mounted on the outer face of the block 9 near the free end thereof is apair of lugs 14 between which a switch bar 15 is pivotally mounted. One end of the switch bar is pivotally mounted as indicated at 16 between the fur-cations in the enlarged end 17 ofa floating rod 18. The inner end of the rod 18 is mounted in the opening 10 of the switch block 9 and may be moved through the latter and into the recess 8 when the switch bar 15 is moved into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawingsq The opposite end of the switch bar 15 is movable between and engageable with lugs 19 detachably mounted on the lower end of the switchv block 9. The bar is norm-a-lly held between the lugs 19 by means of a coil spring 20 which encircles the rod 18 and has the innermost convolution thereof engagea-ble with the switch block 9 while the outer convolutionimpinges against a washer 21 mounted on the outer end of the rod 18.

One of the lugs 14 is adapted to receive one end of a wire 22 which leads to the aerial while one of the lugs 19 is adapted to receive one end of a wire 23 which leads to the ground. Consequently, an electrical circuit may be completed from the aerial through the lugs 14, switch bar 15, lugs 19 and wire 23.

When it is desired to connect the aerial wire 22 with a radio set or instrument the lower end of the switch bar 15 is urged outwardly so as to disengage the same from the lugs 19. This is accomplished through the medium of a switch key or rod 24 operable from the inside 6 of the building 5. The outer end ofthe switch key is adapted to engage. a semi-spherical recess 25 formed on the inner end of a cylindrical abutment 26 the latter being mounted on the switch bar 15 near the lugs 19. The key 24 includes apin 27 which ismovable through the opening 13 in the wall of the building 5, through the key slot 11 and into the key receiving recess 12 so as to hold the rod 24 in a fixed position to thereby correspondingly retain the switch bar disengaged from the lugs 19. The inner end of the switch rod or key is located within the building and is equipped with a knurled head 28 for convenience in manipulating said rod or key. A wire 29 is engaged with the switch rod or key near the head 28, said wire leading to the radio instrument or set. In use of this device when it is desired to connect the aerial with the set or instrument the switch rod or key 24 is urged outwardly so as to disengage the bar 15 from the lugs 19 pursuant to which the knurled head 28 is turned so as to position the pin 27 transversely across the key slot 11 in the recess 12. The circuit is then completed from the aerial to the set by means of the wire 22, lugs 14, switch bar 15, switch rod 24 and wire 29. WVhen it is no longer desired to use the set or instrument the knurled head 28 of the switch rod is turned to align the pin 27 with the key slot 11 thereby permitting the switch rod to be re tracted into the building and corresponding- 1y permitting the switch bar 15 to be automatically reengaged with the lugs 19 under influence of the spring 20. Consequently, when therset is not being used, lightning, electrical surges or like phenomena coming in contact with the aerial will be induced into the ground through the wire 22, switch and wire 23. g V

It is of course to be understood that numerous changes may be made in this device in order to adapt the same for operation under various conditions. However, the device shown in the accompanying drawings illustrates the principle of the invention and I am aware that numerous modifications may be made within the scope of the claims to appended.

What is claimed is 1. A switch for radio apparatus including a switch embodying a switch bar, and a rod in electrical communication with the radio apparatus and in contact with the switch bar to operate the latter, said rod loosely ,engaging the bar and being unconnected there to to'permit separation ofthe rod and bar when the latter is in a closed position.

2. A switch for radio instruments includ ing a base equipped with contact lugs, a spring pressed lever pivotally mounted on said base and normally engaged with said herelugs, an abutment carried by said lever and provided with a recessed terminal, and arod mounted in said base, in electrical communi cation with the radio instrument, andloosely engageable in the recess of said abutment for disengaging the lever from said lugs.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE E. RoEsoH, 

